I’ve never really noticed much of an effect from probiotics. About a year ago I started to take them in higher dosages and I started noticing some benefits for the gut, but not much else.
As I study the immune system more and these individual probiotic species that I’m ingesting, I started thinking that there is a gap between what I’m reading and what I’m experiencing.
Probiotics are good, but reading the research, I would’ve expected more from it.
So I thought it’s time to experiment with probiotics the same way I do with other substances: take more until I feel an acute effect.
The reason I wanted to do this was because I was getting some gas from my experiments with NAG, Sialic acid and Mannose. I also couldn’t take NAC because I’d get gas from that, too.
I also wanted to do some experiments for inducing oral tolerance more.
Contents
My First Two Experiments: Ingesting 280 Billion Microbes
So, at first I decided to do a little experiment and ingest 280 billion probiotic bacteria in one shot, containing 15 different strains. This is equivalent to two bottles of your run of the mill probiotics.
My result? I felt a bit high and blissful. The effect was strong.
It felt something like a mix of butyrate, lactic acid and oxytocin (produced by L Reuteri). Indeed, these are byproducts of these bacteria.
I also got a bit itchy and red in some places, but nothing serious.
My Third Experiment: Ingesting 660 Billion Bacteria
In the first 2 experiments, I took most of the bottle of a probiotic with a smaller count of 5 billion bacteria. There were also some confounding variables.
I waited maybe a month between this and the last two experiments.
This time I took 10 capsules of a probiotic with 66 billion bacteria in each pill. This equals 660 billion bacteria. I made sure there was no confounding variables this time.
To take the amount that I took, you’d have to take 132 pills of your standard 5 billion species probiotic. Many probiotics have only 1 billion bacteria, which means you’d have to take 660 pills of this to get the dosage I got.
I also had some gas from over-consuming these dried Blueberries (a pound) and too much brussel sprouts ( a pound). Could also be because I was experimenting with lots of chocolate in the preceding days, which makes my gut act up.
Anyway, the effect was the same as the first two times, but stronger. It was incredibly relaxing and made me feel really good. It’s an incredible anti-depressant.
I experienced cognitive sensations the next day was pretty powerful. Any stronger and it would’ve turned into a headache.
There was the same sensations in my skin as well. I felt a bit of intestinal discomfort for an hour, but this went away.
In all three experiments, all gas went away when challenged with gas promoting supplements and food.
Honestly, most of the effects took place while I was sleeping because it hit me strongly an hour before bed and I felt it strongly still as I woke up and the next day. My sleep was really good.
Also, my appetite was noticeably suppressed.
While it’s relaxing, it’s also wakeful-promoting.
I also seem to tolerate lectins better (not as fatigued after).
660 billion bacteria is too much for me. I don’t know what the long term effects of this is. I’d rather take 1 pill 2X a day chronically, which I would consider a minimum effective dosage.
Well, it was important that I knew it was working and how.
My Fourth Experiment: Ingesting 2 Trillion Probiotics
I decided to get into the trillions of species. I decided to take 20 pills of this probiotic, and it was stronger, but I didn’t notice that much of a difference than from 660 billion.
Overall, it had some good effects on mood and I thought it would be good for going out and socializing, as I felt more social.
The Takeaway
The takeaway is that you need to hit things hard. Don’t think you will be cured by taking 1 small pill of 5 billion probiotics.
I see people that can’t function at all in the day and they’re being timid. If your body is broken, baby steps won’t fix you. They’re better than nothing, but bold (but safe) actions need to be taken.
I currently have no health problems I’m still hitting things hard (more to see the effects).
If you have gut problems, then slowly ramp up your probiotic usage until you get side effects or the desired effect.
Don’t be timid.
Potential Side Effects
This approach isn’t risk free, but if done in a careful way, it’s relatively safe.
The only potential problem I see is imbalancing your immune system more. So make sure you take probiotics that balance your immune system the way you want it to. This is why you should start small.
See the species you should take to lower Th1 dominance or Th2 dominance.
For myself, I just wasn’t concerned about my immune system becoming imbalanced. But everyone is different.
I had a client who felt more than a half of a capsule of 5 billion species was too strong for her. She reacted to every supplement she took.
If you’re in a precarious state, then your risks are greater, but your potential rewards are also greater.
Overall, though, probiotics are pretty safe.
Future Experiments
I’m going to experiment in the future with creating tolerance to eggs. To do this, I will take megadoses of probiotics – probably the same dosage of 660 billion bacteria together with my eggs. I will make sure to add Cod liver as well.
Recommended Probiotic
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62 COMMENTS
Problem with kefir is, you don’t know what exactly is inside. Commertial kefir varies very much, not only from brand to brand but from batch to batch, it taste and feel very much different.
And not all organisms are benefitial for everyone, for example S. thermophilus rises TNFa and IL-6.
Generally if you drink kefir, especially home made grain varity, you’re megadosing.
1 ml can contain 10 billion CFU. Table spoon can contain 150 billion CFU.
Kefir contain 10 to 34 probiotic species and some vitamins that they produce.
Pills seem more like placebo to me, never felt any beneficial effects from 5 billion CFU pills.
Hi what about kefir and buttermilk which are mega high in probiotics and also Greek yoghurt
Congrats Kyle, very encouraging post.
You said the gastroparesis was caused by the neuropathy. I’m wondering though if it was the other way around — if the gastro caused the numbness? — especially if the probiotics helped make a difference.
Also I’m curious which strains of probiotics did you use? I have gut motility issues as well…
David — sorry — just saw your reply. And just in the last 2-3 months I slowly started adding eggs and am now able to eat one egg a day. Prior to that I think I’d bought one or two cartons of eggs in the last 5 years total!
I have an auto immune disease to. Its a type of neurological disease (very similar but never seen before) called CIDP. I threw up literally for 5 yrs. At one point had a nutritionist actually convince me “I had too much good bacteria”. Can’t believe I bought it. But in fact it was gastroparesis caused by neuropathy. I was numb but able to move until I was started on immunoglobulin infusions and guess what… 100bill probiotics. I was in a wheelchair for 3 yrs now working my ass to get my life back… Walking! I’ve seen plenty of nutritionists and all but one said go with 100 bill or you might as not do it.
Unfortunately I didn’t see your original post. Please say again or let me know which probiotic you use that you were so happy with.this will be my first foray into the world of probiotics. Thank you.
I do not think this is safe for the average person to do.
I have an autoimmune disorder, but doctors still don’t understand my disease. Certain drugs and foods throw my body into a panic – vomiting, diarrhea, joint pain, flu symptoms. I am certainly a “special snowflake,” but my word of caution is still important.
I took an “extra strength” probiotic with 100 billion CFUs. Very reputable brand, no gluten/corn/wheat/soy. I have been taking 5-30 billion CFUs for years.
I experienced the same eosinophilia myalgia syndrome-type symptoms I had from taking L-tryptophan (also not safe due to an alternative metabolic pathway it takes to become a neurotoxin).
There are two recent reported cases of older women suffering neurological damage from mega-dosing probiotics. They were hospitalized and are damaged for life.
The amount of threads you will find with people describing rashes and itchiness from megadosing probiotics is disturbing.
I went to school for the sciences and I am not claiming to be an expert. But “too much of a good thing is not a good thing” often rings true. High doses of bacteria can aggravate anyone’s immune system.
I personally stick to the <10 billion CFU recomended dosage and no longer partake in nootropics. Our bodies are sensitive systems and both the women hospitalized were megadosing for weeks before they ended up in the hospital, in pain and paralyzed. Be weary.
Anyone tried Progurt? One serving provides a trillion bacteria, it’s a powder so you just disperse in water or juice, no need to take 20 or 30 capsules to achieve a megadose. I’ve used it for a few weeks to combat bloating and nourish microflora, seems to be doing its job!
Joe,
What was the probiotic — the 280 billion dose — you took that gave you such bliss and such a high?
Thanks in advance.
It can and has though. It can be incredibly dangerous for those experiencing hypokalemia. I don’t care one way or another, it’s obviously not heroin, helps a lot of people. But it can also make some people very ill, I’d recommend you thoroughly investigate what little we know about the cannibinoid system at the very least before pushing it.
Good bacteria also binds the pesticides and other toxins from the gut. So we lose lot of them anyway.
Amen! I’m taking probiotics for health not feelings. Pot is the perfect medicine, hence the reason is still TOTALLY ILLEGAL, (atleast the federal government says so) big pharm doesn’t want to lose its hold on America. I could, not joking, come off 5 medications I’m legally prescribed. All of those medicines(poison to my body) can kill you with an overdose. No big pharm is getting rich by people overdosing on opiates/opiods with Narcan. No even legal in a lot of states for drugs to get inside they overdose. I can talk about addicts, I was one. Clean 10 yrs 7 months 19 days and I’m finishing college to be an Addiction Counselor. POT IS NOT A DRUG AND DOES NOT KILL(and can’t)
Different species of bacteria placed together will compete for space
and try to dominate each other, resulting in competitive exclusion by
the dominant species. In vitro studies have shown that when you place
different species together, the dominant (strongest) species will usually
produce bacteriocins that kill closely related species. For example, one
study in a prestigious microbiology journal showed that a certain strain
of L. acidophilus produced bacteriocins (antibiotics that work against
same, or closely related species by adsorption to receptors on the
target cells) that inhibited L. delbrueckii, L. bulgaricus, L. fermentum,
Lactococcus lactis, and Enterococcus fecalis.21 Look at the list of
ingredients, and you’ll see that many probiotic companies package these
same species together all in one bottle or capsule. – listen to your gut by jini patel thomson.
Basically the desired effect if diminished when you have a wide spectrum of strains. I believe what it is saying is that its just not as successful. If you had ingested super strain probiotics maybe the results would have been different. Anywho just a thought wish you the best in trial and error research, its very helpful tp anyone looking for answers and suggestions!
Hi Claire,
I would take care of constipation first. I hadn’t realized that was an issue until I started experimenting w. probiotics.
Constipation was troubling me as well when I started taking probiotics. Some formulas would make it worse, some would help a little. A few months and experiments later, here’s what helps me:
– magnesium: small doses maybe 25-50 mg taken every day, helps relax the muscles and the body overall. Chloride from Amazon works for me, oxide works as well. I love Dr. Best magnesium glycinate. I would ramp up the magnesium until I feel comfortable. It takes a few days/weeks until you get a good level in the body.
– water, obviously – I get into trouble if I don’t drink enough
– prunes: I buy dry organic ones and eat 2-3 if I need to. Apricots (fresh or dry) can help, I am still experimenting with these
– flaxseed flour: the fiber helps a lot
– Danone blueberry yogurt with 1-2 teaspoons of chia seeds
Hi Joseph,
I have suffered from CFS for 15 years. Can you recommend a probiotic if one is TH2 dominant? I’m looking at Prescript Assist,but am unsure if it would be appropriate for Th2 dominance?
Hi Joseph, i make home made saurkraut. Allegelly, 2 ounces of home fermented sauerkraut has more probiotics than a bottle of 100 count probiotic capsules. I get a real sense of well being when I eat this stuff. Just put chopped cabbage in a sealed container with regular salt, topped up with fresh water, then leave. Longer the better
Hi Joseph,
I have been on Ads and antopsych. drugs for about 3 years. I stopped prozac Aug,15 when I thought I was doing ok and not need it in job. But the results were I end up leaving the job.
I had various events where I ended up in scuffle while on effexor or prozac or paxil.
So I tried to quite medicine in Dec,15 C.T and 3 months later I saw a doctor which has put me on Sertraline. I again stopped sertraline.
Now I am off medicines for two months. Now my life is completely halted with lot of anger, brain fog and other symptoms.
In this period I tried to apply for job but I was not able to frame and answer. So I am not having one right now.
Now please help me if you can. And how can I contact you if I need your help for consultation?
Bhaskar
Do you have any experiments with acne cures? I’ve tried what feels like everything.
Your erudite posts continue to amaze me. From this one I gather that you know a good bit more than most about probiotics. I have read that the gut contributes dopamine to the nervous system. Could that be part of the euphoria you and readers have found from megadoses of probiotics?
Is there any of gut bacteria that could be singled out as producing dopamine?
Another way to megadose (cheaply): probiotic enema
This thread is hilarious! Getting high off of probiotics! You should try making 24 hour yogurt with raw milk- it has over a trillion Per Serving If you make it properly. I may down a handful of my perscript assist to get a happy high. Not sure if it will work but you all make it sound so tempting.;-)
Hello Joseph M. Cohen,
Have you decided to take the Kombucha Mother? And if so what was this result? And if not, why? Thanks!!
Anybody have any idea of how long it is safe to megadose on probiotics? I am currently taking 500 billion-900 billion
Ive been megadosing probiotics for a while and im concerned with the bacteria going elsewhere than the gut. Not sure if i have any negative reaction to it but i don’t have much of a positive one either.
Your thoughts?
Dan,
Have you attempted to build tolerance to eggs? Either in conjunction with mega dosing probiotics or through egg shells or egg shell supplements? Just curious how it went.
Small question about the Lee Swanson Probiotics. I live in a foreign country and would need to wait 3-5 days for it to arrive. It obviously won’t be refrigerated on its journey. However, I’ve heard that most probiotics need to be refrigerated. Does this one as well?
Interesting. Sorry for my ignorance, but what happens when you digest more than 50g of Hi maize at once? What happens for the extra hi maize that your body can not digest? Will you get its calories?
Took 1 trillion bacteria (seanson brand) three days ago with 270 g hi maize in a period of 4 hours. Next day – got an extremely strong high ; a mixture of bliss and deep love and complete panic. Tried several drugs in my life but this was on a different level. It felt pike my brain was constantly trying to decide whether it is having a good or bad trip. I would not try it again but the good thing was thst three days later I still feel like I am 70 percent less sensetive to lectins.
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1 trillion was arounf 16 pills of swanson brand. I did feel like my skin became really dry and itchy. Took imit with three pills of lactoferrin to isolate the type of bacteria I wanted
Heah Jo. Another interesting post (aren’t they always :-)).
So I ordered some VSL3 last week and it arrived on Friday. Decided to go for a double dose (900 billion), as I have had a pesky cold for a few weeks and am aware of immune system connection to the gut. I must say I did notice and improved sense of mood and generally happier.
Yesterday prior to the gym I had a single dose and again could feel the positive effects. Actually took it alongside my preworkout.
I’m hoping and fairly optimistic that it will be able to knock this cold on the head. Will report back in a few days
I have tried 30 capsules X 60 billion CFU to little effect. I started with 10, tried again with 20 and then finally 30. Any ideas?
Last week I took 5 pills of the Swanson probiotic around 3pm and felt amazing for the rest of the day 🙂 I felt really positive and had much more energy.
I was upset and sad that day so that really helped, thank you !
I am a bit intolerant to eggs too so I am curious to know if it would work.
You mentioned taking black seed oil and cod liver oil with probiotics, can I please ask what the benefits are ? Thanks !!
Tried your experiment with 5 caps of the suggested brand followed by 3 more ~2 hrs later – nothing too noticeable to report.
Some slight random itchiness which may or may not be related.
That being said, that has been my daily 1-cap probiotic supplement for almost 1 month so the intestinal microbiota has already been somewhat similar to the one introduced with this experiment.
How long has it taken to start feeling the strong effects?
Have you tried Bacillus Coagulans? Its spore forming and survives well, Thorne Research sells a good one and top review on Amazon says to ferment it. I’d imagine fermenting in sugar water or milk would increase the quantity to significant amounts.
Tbh that is still not very high and number of strains is very low. Even kefir has around 50 bacterial strains. Fecal transplant as ultimate probiotic clearly shows enormous healing potential for the gut.
Vsl 3 contains more in 2 caps.
U need to redo it correctly.
Take home message is that mainstream probiotics r useless
A few month ago, because I had a lot of kombucha mother and didn’t want to waste them, I ate them.
I felt as you described above. High and fully awake.
Do you know a way of knowing how many probiotics there are inside the mother (and how many different kind) ?
Thank you.
Can you post the complete recipe/way of how to do it properly?